Also back in style and office-ready: pinstripes. (See the previous page for another example.) Besides showing a bit of sophistication, they make you look longer and leaner—two things most of us could use a little help with.

STEP

05

Go Ahead and Overdress

Just because you have one of those laid-back business-casual offices, doesn't mean you can't occasionally rock a power suit— just ditch the tie.

Stop freaking out about matching your shirt to your tie. Let them contrast in color and fabric. Invest in a bunch of shirts and ties that all complement each other, as we've done here. You can thank us later.

Check back tomorrow for more playbook tips: how to smolder in a suit, kill in a tux, and amp up your accessories.

Photo: David Rinella

Dress for the Night You Want

Do you know how to smolder in a suit and kill in a tux? Here we show you, with a little help from the man who does it best: Bond villain Javier Bardem

STEP

10*

Make Your Own Rules

The invitation said black tie, but it didn't say anything about the jacket. A sleek black leather jacket will make you look less snooty and more badass. Think of black tie as a genre, not as a uniform.

Yeah, the weekend is your time to relax, but you should never let down your guard. Here we present the five casual pieces every man needs this season, all worn by L.A. Clippers point man Chris Paul—the star who turned the laughingstock of the NBA into one of the league's most thrilling teams

STEP

25*

Work Your Topcoat Overtime

Just because you can wear it to work doesn't mean you can't wear it on the weekend. A topcoat layers over a windbreaker as effortlessly as over a suit.

It's a fall classic: the shearling bomber. It looks killer with a T-shirt or a shirt and tie. But the best thing about shelling out for one is knowing it gets better with age. Bonus: You can find one in almost any price range.

We put cargo pants on injured reserve when they got ginormous. Since designers started slimming them down a few seasons ago, they're back in the game. Sport them the same way you would, say, a pair of well-tailored chinos.

STEP

29*

Say Hi to the Off-Duty Tie

At GQ we're into wearing ties when we want to, not when we have to. And right now, when we want to is pretty much always.

Stylish guys are fetishizing sneakers like never before, and designers have stepped up big-time. There are futuristic neon running shoes you can wear with a suit. Retro-inspired sneaks in shocking new colors. And a bunch of exclusive releases you'll see here for the first time—all of them fly__

STEP

32

Get High with Us!

Our number one sneaker obsession right now? These Vans high-tops. They've got the 'tude of pricey designer sneakers and the cred of being Vans, and they come in tricked-out fall colors.

I always hated sneakers—I wore boots. But I started working out and had to wear them, so I designed a pair that was exaggerated. Sneakers are so banal and so everywhere, so I turbo'd them out a little. I made a cartoon version of a sneaker.

Illustration by Adam Cruft

STEP

41

Get Familiar with the GQ Look, Circa 2012

No joke: It's everything we're stoked about right now rolled into one: a slim plaid suit with pattern mixing and bright running kicks. How we want to dress right now, in a nutshell.

Sneakers, $70 by New Balance. Suit, $748 by Banana Republic. Shirt, $99 by Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen. Tie, $50 by Tommy Hilfiger. Tie bar and pocket square by The Tie Bar. Watch by Baume Mercier. Socks by Pantherella.

Tom Schirmacher

STEP

42

Rewind Your Style

Retro runners have become standards, and for good reason. You can never have too many.

Puma

$68

Photo: David Rinella

Lacoste

$98

Photo: David Rinella

Onitsuka Tiger

$80

Photo: David Rinella

Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière

$495

Photo: David Rinella

Adidas Originals

$90

Photo: David Rinella

STEP

43

Rock It Like Hova

You rarely see style shot-caller Jay-Z in anything other than black leather sneakers with white soles. Put your own spin on his look with navy blue.

Clae at Kith

$95

Alife

$75

Haerfest

$215

Photo: David Rinella

STEP

44

Take it from A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou

For some people, sneakers are a religion. People display them in their living rooms. I have no idea why. Sneakers should just be about elegance and comfort. Comfort is important, but you still have to look sexy.

Illustration: Adam Cruft

STEP

45

Learn the French for Dunk

Get in line now to pick up A.P.C.'s monotone Nike Dunks. Their last collab sold out stupid fast.

A.P.C. + Nike

$130

Photo: David Rinella

STEP

46

Drop the Weight

There's a sneaker-company arms race: Who can make the lightest sneaker? The winner: your suit. Because now you can wear something comfortable that doesn't look orthopedic.

K-Swiss

$90

Nike

$150

Adidas

$90

Photo: David Rinella

STEP

47

Elevate Your Kicks The idea that sneakers look sloppy is dated. Pair them with a shirt, a tie, and a crisp pair of jeans to look casual but still fresh.

Sneakers, $485 by Lanvin. Cardigan, $125 by Original Penguin. Shirt, $290 by Thom Browne New York. Tie, $125 by David Hart Co. Jeans, $58 by Levi's. Bracelet by David Yurman. Socks by Pantherella .

Photo: Tom Schirmacher

STEP

48

Channel Chuck

Whether it's the $30 original from Converse or the $300 version from Prada, Mr. Taylor's rubber-toed sneakers still reign supreme.

Tod's (top left)

$545

Saturdays NYC

$95

HM

$30

Prada

$295

Tretorn

$70

Comme des Garçons Play

$125

Photo: David Rinella

STEP

49

Win the Jim Meezys

Okay, we're kidding about naming them after Kanye's Yeezys, but GQ creative director Jim Moore designed these exclusive 574s using New Balance's custom system. We made five pairs—check back tomorrow for a chance to win your size.

STEP

50

Now Take the Field, Gents!

That's the end of GQ's fifty-step Fall Style Playbook—you've been armed with all the latest gear, know-how, and trends you need to dominate the season. Let's do "WIN!" on three. Ready? One...two...three...